The latest Revenue report strongly confirms the view we have
taken of the prevailing " hard times." They are hard times for the well-to-do, rather than for the bulk of the people. The Com- missioners report that in 1875, in spite of continued decline in trade, the importation of spirits, tobacco, tea, wheat, and butter all increased, that of common spirits by 75 per oent. That is not good news for the teetotallers, but it certainly shows that the population in 1875 were not suffering,—that, in fact, as the Com- missioners of Customs say, " the year was one in which those dependent upon agricultural and other partially skilled labour for their maintenance, whose labour is paid for on the lowest scale of remuneration, but who form the great majority of the people, have materially advanced in the possession of wealth." If the distress lasts, it will undoubtedly hit the majority, but as yet pauperism is very low, bread is very cheap, and outside the iron trade, the only audible cry comes from the luxurious trades. Coach-painters suffer, not ploughmen.
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